IT'S RELEVANT ORIGINAL

Westport Invited to Discuss Changes to Bus Service

SWRPA Will Host an Open House April 9

The Westport bus service could see some big changes in the near future. But, transit officials want to hear from you first.

"In planning studies like this, public participation is one of the most cirticial components," said Craig Lader of the South Western Regional Planning Agency.

The South Western Regional Planning Agency will host an open house next Thursday at Westport's Town Hall, where new improvements for Westport's public transportation will be debuted and discussed.

"Because there are going to be budgetary impacts, we’re leaving it to the town to decide how they want to allocate the limited funding that they have for transit and which services they want to dedicate that towards," said Lader.

Craig Lader and others at the agency have been studying the public transportation (in Westport) for about a year.

"We've studied ridership and gone out into the town and met with various stakeholder groups," he said.

And now it's your turn. The agency is looking to gain real-time feedback from you.

"We as a study team don't want to speak for the people who really matter," he added.

The bus study will conclude in about three months and from there the findings will be handed to the Westport Transit District, along with the rest of the town government. They will decide how the budget can accomodate any improvements.

"As the project manager I want to be to help those who are using the system and people in the town to get the most out of it," said Lader.

The open house will be held on Thursday, April 9th at 7:30 pm at Westport's Town Hall.